Utley: World [Expletive] Champions!

Some might make a stink about this, but Chase says it with such sincerity that you have to excuse it and appreciate it. Plus, look at the reactions from Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth, among others. They’re floored. Their little unspoken leader made a big statement.

Mike Missanelli on 950 AM ESPN Radio made a stink about this, saying it was wrong with all the children in the crowd. You know what, they hear so much worse these days. Who cares about this? This was great.

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87 Comments

Brian

October 31, 2008 at 8:06 pm

No one should have a problem with it…I was at the rally with my 6 year old son. He heard it heard the crowd go crazy and repeated it directly to me. After I stopped myself from almost laughing I told him in the sternest voice I could muster that that wasn’t a nice word and that was the end of that.

Lets just chalk it up to the fact the players would have had A LOT of champagne and enough adrenaline going to stun a rhino. We know Chase is a class act and this isn’t Manny territory, sure it was inappropriate but the guys earn’t the right for a free pass.

Not cool, and a terrible lack of class and lack of imagination as well as intellectual powers to describe the wonder of a Phillies championship. I’m sorry an otherwise seemingly classy guy displayed such a lack of class and consideration for his fans.

I also think we should not have boo-ed (after winning no less) the mention of the Rays as worthy competitors, and I wasn’t even too jazzed at booing Bud Selig. We won! Why do Philly fans, no matter how victorious, just have let out vile venom and bitterness? It’s not the majority, but there’s a minority who just don’t show class. And I’m willing to call them out on it every time they do it, even a great player like Utley, cause it diminishes them and it diminishes Philadelphia fans!

And oh yeah, the players who laughed and applauded, they displayed no class then too.

Good point, I agree with you on that one. And by the way, I’m no better than they are. In fact, I’d definitely do far, far, worse with all the adulation and adrenaline such a victory brings. So please forgive me for any self-righteousness, which is a far worse fault than a 1 second lapse of judgment in using a word.

Many of these guys really give back to the community and truly are outstanding role models. One little flub-up doesn’t change that. I love these guys, and I celebrate what they were able to accomplish.

Dropping the fbomb was tacky. Sorry, it’s just bad manners. Like I said before, it’s one thing between friends, another when representing your team on a stage. It makes a lot of people think a little less of you.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning cursing like that in public, but I honestly think that Utley slipped and was overwhelmed with pure emotion.

And the context it was used in has a lot to do with curses that are acceptible (or at least forgiveable) and downright offensive.

And guess what. George W. Bush has been caught cursing and giving obscene gestures (including the finger) on camera multiple times, and he’s the President (thankfully for not much longer). Shouldn’t people be more concerned about that?

I always look for graciousness towards the opponents, especially in victory. I always look for examples of great character to point out to my young children, and for examples of arrogance. Sports supplies many bad examples, play-hogs, whiners, poor losers, etc. I will say one class act is Charlie Manuel. He has been the key ingredient to take a bunch of millionaire prima-donna players and turn them into a team. Benching Rollins, sending Myers to the Minors, sticking with loyal team players through thick and thin to much criticism, all are actions of character, principle, consistency.

My admiration for Charlie Manuel is great. And he deserves a ton more credit even than he is getting right now.

Clarification: Not all the players were millionaires yet, but by the end of the season Cole Hamels and others knew they would be on the rapid rise. Hamels only made 400,000. this year. That’s crazy. I mean that’s the same as the President, and we all know Hamels is way more important than the President!

oh yeah, such a class act he is. Lets see, the fans feel the need to start trashing and vandolize your city, and your star 2nd basemen is on national tv sounding like a drunken biker or something. What a city full of losers. I hate all of you

Phillyhater, because we know how nothing of the sort has happened like that anywhere else before. I mean, Boston didn’t have any problems when they won, did they? New York has no problems every New Years, right?

And we know how no ballplayer has ever said that word. That’s right, everyone is spick and span and clean.

Thank you for clearing that up with your bottled up rage that you had to hide behind an computer anonymously and go into the thick of what you hate to express it.

I was in the CBP parking lot when he said it… the whole thing exploded!! Actually, when he said that, it finally kicked in… WE ARE THE WORLD PHUCKING CHAMPIONS! It was so emotional and special… I got my champagne bottle and sprayed everyone nearby!!! I love this team!

1. I believe it was said with sincerity from someone who was exhausted from the playoff effort and basking in the incredible feel of victory – the ultimate goal in a profession that very few on the planet are blessed enough to be a part of. As an adult, it’s something I could imagine yelling in a bar with friends when I was in my twenties.

2. However, like one of the early posters here, my 8 year old son (who adores Chase Utley and has the shirt), immediately repeated the phrase while watching the TV and I had to correct him about the bad word. It’s certainly not the most difficult parenting I’ve ever had to do, but it did leave my son a little puzzled about his hero.

3. I’m sure my son will continue to wear the 26 shirt and I’ll continue to be a huge fan of the way Chase plays the game. If I could, I would ask Chase that the next time he gets to that podium, he handles it differently. This isn’t the first time Chase let an expletive fly at the wrong moment – http://www.knucklecurve.com/chase-utley-video-utley-doesnt-like-boos/

4. I agree with another earlier poster too. I look for examples of great character as well because my sons need those examples as they grow – there are far too few of them in the world.

5. As for the crowd in general, I don’t buy what someone here said about it being a different world today – that’s an excuse. There’s absolutely no need to boo – EVER. Just because someone wins doesn’t mean someone else needs to get made fun of. The Rays, not even the Mets (who inwardly I don’t care for very much) deserve to be booed at the same time we celebrate a championship. Class and character need to be a part of our world in the future – sports USED to be a vehicle to teach America’s youth about these important life lessons. There’s no reason we can’t love our team and enjoy the historic moment without acting poorly toward others.

CUT CHASE SOME SLACK THE MAN WAS HAPPY . HE JUST SAID HOW HE FELT AT TIME . GET OVER IT ! BE HAPPY WE ARE THE WORLD CHAMPS. WE ARE NUMBER ONE AT LAST ! AND LOVE IT WHEN HE DID AT THE STAR GAME THAT WAS FUNNY CAUSE IT WAS NEW YORK ! IAM PROUD TO BE FROM PHILADELPHIA,PA AND PROUD TO BE A PHILLIES FAN AND PROUD TO BE PART OF THE PHILLIES NATION. GOD BLESS USA . DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE!

In an world where athletes are getting caught for DUIs, doing drugs, taking steroids, domestic abuse, and doing other terrible things, I think we can let Chase off the hook for saying one swear word. For some strange reason we expect athletes to be better than us, to be these beacons to look up to, but we tend to forget that they’re only human. I was glad to see Utley say it, because it was clear that he actually cared about winning a championship. Too often in the world of sports, athletes don’t care about winning, they just care about how much they’re getting paid, but it’s nice to see that some athletes really do care about winning a championship for themselves and for their fans. Was it the proper thing to say? Probably not. But we shouldn’t be making such a big deal out of it.

i personally don’t like to swear, (when i can control it). and when people have to use the F word three times per sentence, yeah that bothers me. but, while it shocked me when he said it, it didn’t offend me, he summed up how we all feel, and i’m buying the shirt as soon as i can.

Like others have mentioned, I saw the celebration live and when Utley said those words the entire stadium rose in an ovation and the players also reacted. Even J Roll mentioned he did not know how he was going to follow that up. Those reactions are testament to the fact that in that one moment in time that word captured all that they were feeling.

We need to remember that so called “curse” words carry much more emotion to them than your usual words. When the Phillies won I called my friends and yelled out exaclty what Chase did and we all cheered. It was because the F words had that emotion, that strength to express the raw, boundless, happiness I had at the time being. Just saying “I’m very happy” was not enough. I’m not the type to use that word all the time but at that moment, like Chase, its the one I needed.

Bob, you gotta calm down, my man. Did you hear me when i said i don’t like to swear, and it offends me when others do? i resent you saying stupid, ignorant, no-class jerk. i didn’t say it, i don’t own the darn shirt, if i did purchase it, it would be for sleep wear. i would never wear something like that outside. Go rant at Chase, not a wholesome phan.

Oh relax… it’s just a word. That one word summed up almost all of the fans and teams emotions waiting 28 years to be World Champs again. Kids will eventually learn that word and it was not a disgrace at all. Chase is as good a role model as any. I think some people just have such boring lives and way too much time on their hands that they have nothing better to do than complain all the time. Bob, it’s 2008… come join the rest of us.

best moment of the year. chase was not the only person to scream those words all day, any kid who was there probably heard those words a hundred times before chase said it. we love it in philly, so why don’t all you non-philly fans let us enjoy this the way we want to!

The objection expressed here from posters I believed is not the profanity itself (considering the emotions of the moment) but the inappropiate use in a public place where parents and their children are in attendance. Common sense, judgment and awareness of locale should should have given Utley a pause for thought before uttering the F-bomb.

I agree 100% Bruce. I couldn’t help but think of Jamie Moyers’ children who, no doubt like the rest of us, adore Chase Utley. It really puts us in a quandry. I often cite Chase as an example of someone who always gives everything that he has in every game and hustles every play. He is a player that is worth every penny to go to the park and watch. Now, that example comes with “baggage”. That is the shame of the choice of words.

There’s a time and place for everything. I laughed, but I’d rather see ’em keep it clean for the kids. Life goes on. That F-bomb isn’t nearly as alarming as the behavior of Manny, for example. Actions speak louder than words… oh well.

Bring it on Boob. Just try to pour “something vile” on me.
Have someone take a video of me turning your face into something resembling a pizza so your precious little snowflakes will remember what a jackass their father was.

That makes me smile and laugh every time I hear it! Should have posted his comments in their entirety, where he graciously thanks the fans and acknowledges the contributions of every one of his teammates. Classy with a little blue collar jargon thrown in to bring home a point. Love that guy, you go Chase! For talking heads like Mike Missanelli: whatever. I hear worse language coming from grade school children walking past my place of business in North Philly. I’m sure he didn’t say it to act the fool, but clearly to acknowledge a job well done. Cheers Chase and well done to the entire Phillies organization, we are humbled and honored by your effort.

Puh-lease. I loved it. Getting him to talk or show emotion most of the year is like pulling teeth. Besides, it’s not like he does it all the time – he only curses during all-star games and World Series celebrations. If these parents take their kids to any Phillies game they’ll hear worse than this in the stands. Go Chase!

That being said though, you have to consider the situation. A World Championship after 25 years of frustration, Oilers, Joe Carter, Red Wings, Shaq and Kobe, and the Pats.

Parents should look at this as a good thing to teach kids that its not appropiate to say these words, but come on, I can probably guarentee you that most kids already know these words. Just tell your kid that he was just excited, but you never say those words, at least at their age.

I watched the parade on TV, and at first Ithought I heard Chase wrong. My husband , who’s a bit of a prude, was offended for the sake of the kids listening. I figure most Philly kids have heard a lot worse. I thought Chase was awesome! Having grown up in a suburb of Philly and spending a lot of time in the city for work and pleasure both, I thought Utley was channeling the typical Philadelphia sports fan. In case you haven’t noticed, we have a national reputation as being tough, passionate and very loyal. Those three words shouted by Chase “said it all……. and said it “perfectly”. I love this town!

On the ride home in the car on Friday someone on the radio apologized on behalf of the station for Utley’s remark, saying that it certainly isn’t the policy of the station to have such words come across the airwaves (guess they were just covering themselves from a fine from the FCC). My 11-yr old son looked at me…….and it should be noted that we have taught him what bad words are and he knows that and doesn’t use them………he looked at me and said, “Cmon….people just need to lighten up.” I think that statement just says it all. EVERYBODY JUST NEEDS TO LIGHTEN UP!!!

Selective censorship – why does MLB have Viagra banners hanging behind the batter’s box in all MLB games? Why does Cialis advertise after every inning in the post season? Isn’t it easier to explain to your children that sometimes language is inappropriate but the key is to not repeat it, rather than have to explain what a four-hour erection is? Give me a break. Well-adjusted parents raise secure and well-adjusted kids and a little four letter word will not send your family into a tailspin.

As for Chase – brilliant! You spoke for generations of frustrated Phillies fans and you hit the nail on the head!

All you people who complain about Chase saying that deserve to have a few expletives said at them……..Your probably alll conservative F@#KS that are about to get takin over by the new age of AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!………DIE HIPPIES DIE

I get it, but I didn’t love it. I wasn’t offended, and I don’t think any children were scarred by hearing it.

I just wish, as the face of the organization, he had managed to be a little classier. It felt a little too cool for school. I’m not really psyched that our new unofficial slogan as a fan base has a big old F-bomb in it.

I still think he’s a better person than 90% of professional baseball players. I don’t judge him as a person because of it. But I don’t think it was the best choice he could’ve made.

Who is going to wear a shirt like this? Do you think some parents will buy them for their kids because they think they are cute? Will schools accept them as appropriate wear? I’m already imagining walking down the street, passing by a beer bellied guy wearing this shirt, and having to pretend that’s it perfectly fine with me. I want to see Phillies Champion shirts and be reminded of a fantastic time in this city. I don’t want to see the other shirt and be reminded of something far less spectacular. It won’t be fair.

Missanelli is a poor mans Jim Rome. Not funny, not annoying enough to be relevant. Got fired from a lot of places for his own misconduct. Hey we’re all human right? So Mike, from your glass house, you without sin, cast the first stone.

As an outsider (I am from Ohio and a Cleveland fan), I don’t see anything wrong with this.

If one of my teams were to win a title (believe me I know its a longshot) and one of my players said it, I would think nothing of it.

When Ohio State won the BCS title in 2002, Jim Tressel made a play on words about the team, saying “Not only do we have The Best Damn Band In The Land (which is what they actualy are called), now we have the Best Damn Team In The Land!”

I know this is different than the F word, but his came as a shock to all of us who follow Ohio State football and we were all good with it.

He was in the heat of the moment, anyone from Philadelphia who did not get chills from his speech is not a true Philadelphia fan. I think that culminated the entire attitude of this team. It is what it is, we have been waiting 25 years for a championship and Chase said exactly what everybody felt. I love the emotion, it shows that some of these players making millions of dollars do still care about winning and losing. Love ya Chase and love th Phils!!!

Parents who teach thier children not to use words like that have children who know not to use words like that. Don’t let your children watch TV, go to sporting events, search the internet, listen to the radio, go to school, or go out in public in general if you are concerned about how badly a word such as that will effect them.

Also, Chase Utley is from Pasadena, California. Get that strait before accusing him of being a steriotypical Philadelphian. We welcome him and his language with open arms, however, because we are classless losers as much stated in here….yet you are on here saying you hate people and calling them morons….now that’s class!

Get over it. The man used everyday street language that everyone hears all the time everywhere except in Court, Church, and on most TV shows. Every kid learns all those words in kindergarten. Mr. Utley is as human as we are and was expressing his happiness–as he justly has a right to do!

I have been to Phillies games and have heard a lot worse coming from Joe Schmoe sitting next to me. We Philly fans are certainly a different breed. We boo Santa Claus, the boy who couldn’t find an Easter Egg and the players wive’s; but we cheer the ‘PH’ word. It’s because we are blue collar people. Go Phightins’. World ‘Phucking’ Champions. It’s been a long time comin’.